Cost of three year old in nursery

[NaomiTroll]

Not sure if it’s appropriate to ask but would love if anyone who’s happy to share could talk about how much it costs for them to put their toddler in nursery. I have DD who’s two but will be 3 in April. I’m a SAHM (also got another DD who’s 6 months) but my husband and I are considering putting her in nursery to help her learn some social skills and gain a little independence in a gentle setting. Could anybody shed light on how much it might cost to put her in nursery for say 3 mornings a week and whether a nursery would even take a child for just a few mornings a week? I used to work in a nursery and we’d often have some kids who would just do a few mornings or afternoons but I know nurseries are increasingly more and more in demand at the moment. Would really appreciate any insight someone might have!

Where do you live? How much are nursery costs where you live? Do you qualify for free hours and the tax free childcare credits?

She doesn't as she doesn't work.

You'll get 15 funded hours from September. You'll need to contact local nurseries for prices.

From September she will be eligible for 15 hours of Nursery Education Funding.

In the nursery where I work, 3 x 3 hour sessions would be free of charge, but we ask parents for £2.50 voluntary contribution per 3 hour sessions would be to cover snacks, cooking ingredients, resources etc. However, we have a very limited number of half day sessions available as full day attendance is prioritised. I think there will be fewer and fewer half day sessions available locally as more children than ever will be eligible for 30 hour funding from September and be looking for full day attendance to fit around working patterns.

Without funding we charge £7 per hour, so a 3 hour sessions would would be £21.00 plus £2.50 resources charge.

West Midlands.

If it’s useful to know, we live in the outskirts of Cambridge, apologies I should have mentioned this in my OP.

Thank you, this is really useful info!

Depending on when her birthday is in April she might get the 15 hours for the summer term The 15 hours is from the academic term after they turn 3 - so 3 intakes a year. September, January and after Easter.
If she doesn't you can start her in September.
You shouldn't have to pay anything apart from maybe a small amount towards snacks and if it's a school based nursery class you might have to buy a uniform.

You mentioned a gentle setting. Nurseries aren't gentle, sounds like a childminder is more what you need.

Do you know which primary school she's going to? Most schools will have an attached nursery and she would be due to start in September this year. I think you've missed the application window, but you might get a place if they have space.

If you're around the south side of Cambridge, it would be worth considering village pre-schools rather than a nursery. Nursery spaces are in high demand and are often full/have long waiting lists, but the shorter days combined with term time only spaces at pre-schools make them less attractive to working parents, so spaces might be more available.

Thank you all for your replies! So much appreciated. Think we’re going to have a look at the pre-school down the road for a possible September start.

Not true. The cut off dates are fixed at 31st March, 31st August and 31st December for each subsequent term.

Apologies - I thought the Summer term (after Easter) dates weren't fixed.
@NaomiTroll just wait until September then.

You do probably need to get their name down asap for the times you want as there will be lots of children starting in September that have had birthdays from April - August

Also to clarify if it hasn’t been mentioned, the x15 free hours are term time only, so if you use a nursery that is year-round this works out about 11 hours a week stretched over this time

Is the taxpayer paying for nursery for children whose main carer does not work?

All children in England, since 1998 have received early education when they are 3 and 4 years old. It's currently 15 hours, used to be 12.5 hours per week.

To clarify this is in England.

If you do go for a preschool, ask them which school the majority of children move up to, to ensure that it’s your catchment school / preferred school she will go to.

Ours is about 5.50/£6 an hour (if you go over the x15 hours) and you take a packed lunch. No extra costs except for a one-off like Xmas party. Lots of children doing half days, lots of SAHM’s as the days are short (usually about 9am - 3pm) and term time only and they might have inset days too. If you go to a nursery the hours available are longer but the waiting list is probably longer, the hours you can use are more restricted and they add extra costs on top such as food

@NaomiTroll It varies so much. I’m from Warwickshire and my three year old goes for 1.5 sessions a week; so the same as three mornings, albeit afternoons are a couple of quid cheaper here. With the funding, I pay £450 a month. It’s spread through the year, but it’s better that way because half terms are busy and expensive! My nursery don’t offer term time only places as standard.

It varies massively. You’d need to get quotes. You might also find there’s huge waiting lists - nurseries near me are full until October ‘26.

Wow, just to confirm I’ve understood correctly, you get the x15 free hours (stretched), so about x11 funded hours a week, and they only do x3 half days and it still costs you £450 a month? I’m so surprised it costs so much!

It's education not childcare when it's the 15 hours (term time) for 3-4 year olds.
So yes the "tax payer" pays for it 🙄

SAHM here, my partner pays a huge amount of tax into the system (including 60% equiv rate 100-125k). The funded hours are to ensure all children at this age have the same opportunity to prepare for school by attending an early years setting

Won't she get more than 15 hours if she's 3 in April? 🤔

Not if she doesn't work no.

Only for the last 30 years!

My three year old attends pre school, and the cost is £6 per hour for unfunded hours plus a lunch charge if he has a school meal.
You definitely need to look at getting a place for September now. With the extra funding hours coming in it's likely many nurseries/pre schools will be oversubscribed.